Investigators say Brenda Gradia, 41, confessed to shooting the show horse to collect a $100,000 insurance payout.
Gradia recently bought the animal for $800.
More than a half dozen law enforcement agencies worked together for two weeks to uncover the plot.
Renee Jones, an animal cruelty investigator for the Escambia County Humane Society, said she knew something wasn't quite right when she spoke to Gradia at the fire scene.
"When I arrived expressing that to Mrs. Gradia how horrible this must be, she responded with well, we've only had her for a month and she's insured," said Jones.
Flomaton Police Chief Mike Lambert says this may not be the first time Gradia has used her animals to profit through insurance fraud.
In December, Lambert says Gradia illegally collected $30,000 for a horse she says died from a snake bite.
Gradia is charged with theft of property for receiving the insurance payout last year. She's charged with arson, theft by deception and animal cruelty in the most recent case.
Gradia is a teacher at King Middle School in Milton, Florida.


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I was wondering if this teacher is going to be taeching when school starts back. Are our children safe?